Jul 4, 20237 min read

Best Thai Hotpot in Taipei—Chase Happy

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Chase Happy is a prominent Thai cuisine restaurant in Banqiao district under the Ledodo Group. It has been generating a lot of buzz online recently and tends to get crowded during meal times, so getting a reservation is recommended, either through their website or by phone. Ares and I specifically chose a weekday afternoon when most people are at work to avoid interacting with human beings.

The interior is bright and spacious, featuring Instagram-worthy decorations with Thai vacation vibes. The seating area is very roomy, even 6ft 1 Ares sat comfortably.

Best Thai Hotpot in Taipei—Chase Happy: Thai King's Boston Lobster Congee

In addition to a variety of delicious Thai hot pot, Chase Happy offers five tantalizing seafood congee options that are among its signature dishes. With a background of 50 years in the fishing industry, Ledodo Group possesses profound expertise and experience in seafood. The ingredients are supplied based on seasonal changes to ensure freshness and quality. I also previously enjoyed fresh and well-maintained shrimp and fish at Rododo Hot Pot, which is also under the Ledodo Group. Chase Happy is the only restaurant among the Ledodo Group's hot pot brands that serves live seafood.

As someone who was severely allergic to seafood, being able to indulge in Chase Happy's Thai King's Boston Lobster Congee is truly a blessing. After working on my health, I can now consume seafood in moderate amounts. However, I am still sensitive to fishy smells and cannot eat too much shellfish. However, this pot of Boston Lobster Congee not only did not make me itchy, but it also exuded a fragrant aroma and had a full, fresh taste without any fishiness.

Thai King's Boston Lobster Congee is one of Chase Happy's signature dishes. It is based on a dashi and bone broth, which enhances the overall flavor. The congee includes white shrimp, squid balls, clams, and, most importantly, a whole Boston lobster! Making the dish even more luxurious and delicious. Ares particularly loves the squid balls. He usually doesn't enjoy the various types of dumplings and balls in hot pot, but he said Chase Happy's squid balls have a texture similar to imitation crab legs but with a genuine seafood aroma, while the meat filling inside is filled with a pack of savory soup. Almost all of the squid balls ended up in his belly.

I found Chase Happy to be incredibly considerate in their service. Since they serve seafood and lobster, they also provide all the necessary tools for a convenient dining experience. Alongside the standard seafood crackers and picks, they even supply gloves for handling the seafood. Additionally, they have a drawer filled with plenty of wet wipes that you can easily access. Their attention to detail is evident in the provision of seafood picks in two different sizes, allowing you to choose the fork that suits you best.

However, as this was my first time eating lobster and Ares is simply terrible at dissecting seafood, we faced a perplexing challenge with the lobster claws. We even asked the waitress if she knew what to do. She relayed our predicament to the chef, and to our surprise, the chef personally came to our table. He graciously offered his help and proceeded to skillfully extract the lobster meat for us. It was so sweet! The chef's technique was expert and precise, leaving both Ares and me amazed. It felt like we were witnessing a surgery. The Boston lobster served at Chase Happy is tender and delightfully springy. Even when extracting the meat from the tail, it exhibits a slight bounce. Its texture is similar to the softness of crab meat sticks, but with the presence of genuine meat fibers, resulting in a combination of tenderness and subtle crunchiness.

Chase Happy presents a delightful selection of three dipping sauces: Green Pepper, Thai Chili, and Thai Spicy and Sour sauce, further elevating the flavors. The Green Pepper sauce, crafted with green peppers and flaming jade peppers, imparts a subtle sourness and a moderate level of spiciness, offering a refreshing sensation to the palate. I find it especially well-suited for dipping the lobster, adding an extra layer of flavor. Ares is a fan of Chase Happy's Thai Spicy and Sour sauce. Setting it apart from other commonly found Thai Spicy and Sour sauces in Taiwan, this authentic creation delivers a burst of flavor with its tangy notes that perfectly complement the delicate and sweet white shrimp.

Thai King's Boston Lobster Congee also comes with side dishes that vary each day. We had black fungus, golden kimchi, and fried squid strips. The golden kimchi tasted somewhat like Taiwanese-style kimchi that is usually served with stinky tofu, but slightly more acidic. The fried squid strips are Ares' favorite, they have a crispy texture that resembles savory potato chips, but they melt in your mouth, creating a fascinating sensation.

Finally, a reminder: Thai King's Boston Lobster Congee is meant for approximately 4-6 people. If you have a small appetite or a small party, be prepared to pack the leftovers. Ares and I were unaware of this and arrogantly thought we could handle a whole pot of congee, only to find out how wrong we were. We even had to pack the dessert and were defeated by the portion size for the first time.

Best Thai Hotpot in Taipei—Chase Happy: Thai Stir-Fry

Chase Happy's new menu release introduces set meals designed for 2 to 6 people, providing an authentic Thai dining experience with a variety of options, ranging from Thai hot pot to stir-fried dishes. The chef shared that incorporating spicy and sour Thai broth into congee is not widely accepted among Taiwanese locals, so they have adjusted the congee to have a more Taiwanese influence. To fully relish the genuine Thai flavors, he suggests pairing the congee with Thai-style stir-fry.

We had the Spicy Stir-Fried Beef. It has a mildly spicy and savory taste with the aroma of Thai basil, making it the perfect pair for rice or congee. Even Ares, who usually dislikes congee, enjoyed having it with the beef. Personally, I like to mix the beef into the congee and sprinkle some chopped green onions, seaweed, and a pinch of white pepper salt. Then, I use the all-you-can-eat shrimp chips to scoop it up as a spoon. It's absolutely addictive.

We also had the classic Thai Spicy Chicken. The chicken skin is incredibly crispy while the meat remains tender. I'm usually not fond of eating chicken skin, but the crispiness of Chase Happy's Thai Spicy Chicken skin is just right, and is extremely satisfying when paired with the chicken meat. It is accompanied by a dipping sauce same as the aforementioned Thai Chili Sauce. Surprisingly, though the sauce contains a lot of cilantro, which both Ares and I usually hate, we quite enjoyed the dish. The slightly numbing flavor is very appetizing.

Best Thai Hotpot in Taipei—Chase Happy: Tom Yum

I have to gush: the chef is so nice and friendly! During our conversation, I mentioned that Ares loves tom yum with a passion, and I even learned how to make it for him. The chef said he would bring a bowl of tom yum soup for Ares to try. Later, the waitress brought us a large individual hot pot with extra shrimp. He even peeled the shrimp for Ares knowing that he doesn't like to do it himself.

Chase Happy's chef used to teach at a culinary school and always specialized in Thai cuisine. I sincerely think that Chase Happy's tom yum soup is significantly better than the tom yum from Baan Taipei, a Michelin The Plate Thai restaurant in the East District. (You can read my review for Baan Taipei HERE.)

Chase Happy's tom yum soup boasts a flavorful broth base made from fried shrimp heads. Its invigorating lemongrass aroma and perfectly balanced sourness showcase an authentic Thai taste. Ares and I, who love sour food, couldn't resist having bowl after bowl, even when we were already full. The chef explained that the individual serving of tom yum has a robust and intense flavor, whereas the shared hot pot version is slightly milder as it gradually intensifies over time. Alongside its tanginess, the tom yum soup carries a subtle spiciness that leaves a gentle tingling sensation at the back of my throat. Combined with the natural umami and sweetness of the tomatoes, it offers a remarkably smooth and delightful experience.

Best Thai Hotpot in Taipei—Chase Happy: Dessert

The coconut milk pudding at Chase Happy is truly memorable. The milk pudding is served in a hollowed-out coconut that still retains some flesh on its inner walls. The pudding delights with its velvety and creamy texture, accompanied by a subtle fluffiness. With each bite, it feels as if dense bubbles are caressing my tongue, while the aroma of coconut fills my senses. This dessert is an absolute must-try.

Even though Ares is not typically drawn to desserts, he has developed a fondness for Silver Rolls with condensed milk. The Silver Rolls from Chase Happy has a firm yet slightly chewy texture, somewhat resembling a combination of silver roll and bread. Each bite provides a satisfying chew. When paired with the fragrant sweetness of condensed milk, it creates a delightful and blissful sensation.

Best Thai Hotpot in Taipei—Chase Happy: Giveaway

I'm also doing a giveaway on Instagram! 3 lucky ducks are going to be chosen for a "NTD$1,099 weekday set meal coupon", which will be directly sent to your Ledodo membership app.

Make sure you are following me and @chasehappypot on Instagram. Like this post and share it to your Instagram stories, then tag 3 friends in the comments and write down 「泰好吃了吧！」in Chinese for the chance to win!

Best Thai Hotpot in Taipei—Chase Happy: Discount App

Of course, at any restaurant under Ledodo Group, you have a new member freebie as long as you have the Ledodo App! Join the app to receive a new comers' coupon which allows you to choose 1 of 3 among Seafood Trio (blue diamond shrimp, tilapia, and clams), 150g of pork, or 150g of beef.
Order a set meal during supper time on weekends and get all-you-can-drink Thai milk tea.
Every time you spend NTD$100 at any restaurant under Ledodo Group you get 1 point. Just 5 points would get you a free serving of seafood or meat main course at Rododo Hotpot. There are even more choices with 10 points. You can also use these points at any restaurant that belongs to the group.
Each point is valid for 60 days. If you eat at any restaurant under Ledodo group in that 60 days and collect more points on the app, ALL existing points would be extended for another 60 days. It's impossible for foodies like me to waste even a single point!